26.11.2021
WHAT SOCIAL BENEFITS CAN WE RECEIVE UNTIL THE NEW YEAR?
For the first time, Bulgaria is in a pandemic wave without a lockdown, which is why the economic consequences of the pandemic have faded into the background. However, the government continues to distribute millions in the form of benefits to affected employees, companies and parents. At the same time, there is an application for the additional support of BGN 300, with which the official cabinet is trying to put out the fire of the more expensive energy carriers. What financial aid is available for people on the threshold of the second pandemic winter is summarized by the Consultancy Center - Berkovitsa.
Keep me +
As of November 11, the measure under which compensations are paid for employees on forced unpaid leave due to temporary restrictions is reopened. They are entitled to receive 75% of their insurance income for July. This support is already provided to self-employed persons whose activities have been suspended due to the emergency - a category that was excluded from almost all measures at the beginning of the pandemic.
It should be borne in mind that this aid is provided for only 90 working days this year. The latest edition of the measure covers unpaid leave used between 7 September and 31 December. The application is now only online, and the compensations are paid by the National Social Security Institute. The provided financing is BGN 100 million, and the expected scope - 60,000 workers, employees and self-insured. All about the scheme, see the website of the Employment Agency.
Benefits for parents
Parents of children under 14 who do not attend school, nursery or kindergarten due to the anti-epidemic restrictions are entitled to monthly targeted assistance in case they are forced to go on unpaid leave because they cannot work remotely, they do not have the opportunity to use paid leave and are not on sick leave.
For families with one child the amount of assistance is equal to the minimum wage - BGN 650. For families with two or more children the assistance is 150% of the monthly minimum wage or BGN 975.
In case the distance learning is introduced for a period of more than 10 working days of the month, the aid is received in its full amount. If the restrictions are for a period of 6 to 10 working days of the month, for families with one child the amount of assistance is BGN 325, and for families with two or more children the amount of assistance is BGN 487.50. With restrictions limited to 5 working days days of the month for families with one child the amount of assistance is BGN 162.50, and for families with two children - BGN 243.75.
There are some conditions with this help. The average income per person in the family must be less than or equal to 150% of the minimum wage or BGN 975. This means that in order to be entitled to such support from the state, a family with one child must have a total income of up to 2925 BGN, and with two children - up to BGN 3900.
Parents who have lost their jobs but are not entitled to unemployment benefits or the amount of which is lower than BGN 975 are entitled to such financial support. The assistance can also be used by self-insured people who cannot work due to anti-epidemic restrictions.
Applications for this support shall be made no later than the end of the month following that for which restrictions have been imposed. As schools closed en masse in October, affected parents should keep in mind that they can claim compensation until the end of November. For the November days, of course, the application deadline will be until the end of the year.
So far, 53,294 families have benefited from this assistance, and it has been operating for a little over a year - it was introduced after several unsuccessful attempts in September 2020. For this year, the budget of the measure is BGN 103 million.
All about this measure, see the website of the Social Assistance Agency.
BGN 300 for heating
These days, the acceptance of documents for the new heating aid, which will be given to people who have almost missed the classic energy support, has begun.
The right to receive it will have people and families who have been denied targeted heating assistance for the upcoming winter season due to exceeding the defined differentiated income by up to BGN 30 or due to failure to meet the requirement for 6-month mandatory registration as unemployed in the Labor Office directorates. For them, the granting of the aid will become official and they do not need to submit documents again.
People who meet the same criteria but have not submitted documents within the set deadline of October 31, 2021 will also be able to benefit from this support. The differentiated income is determined according to the type of family/household and is described in the ordinance for the target heating aid.
Applications for this assistance were submitted by 23 November, and it is possible to do so online. The application declares the income from April to September, and official income notes must be attached to it. It is recommended that applicants indicate a bank account, as the amount will be paid once in December. From 09.12.2021 to 23.12.2021 in the post offices of Bulgarian Posts EAD will be paid a one-time financial assistance for heating of persons and families from vulnerable groups.
The government has allocated BGN 15 million for this measure, and it is expected that these funds will be used to support 50,000 households. For all the help, see the website of the Social Assistance Agency.
